Flexible mold with grasping handles

ABSTRACT

A flexible, silicone mold having a bowl and a peripheral rim that defines an opening to the bowl. Two substantially flat grasping zones are disposed along substantially opposite ends of the rim and the grasping zones have sufficient dimensions to permit control of the geometry of the rim and also to permit control of the horizontal positions of the two grasping zones.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns flexible silicone molds. Moreparticularly, it concerns flexible silicone molds for food preparations,like cakes, pies, quiches, breads, etc. The silicone molds of thepresent invention can be placed in an oven at high temperatures. Themolds can also be used to make, for example, ice cream and sherbets, andmay be placed in freezers and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flexible silicone molds for food preparation have long been known. Thefollowing patents and published patent applications disclose exemplarymolds: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,182,454; 3,844,525; 5,300,747; 2001/0043977, EP0 992 195; EP 1 197 149; FR 1 590 193; FR 2 747 885; FR 2 747 886; FR 2786 667; FR 2 786 668; FR 2 827 494; CH 443 870; and GB 1 159 021.

Molds made entirely of silicone are highly practical, because theypermit easy release of products from the molds. They can also be easilycleaned after use.

However, molds made fully of silicone can pose handling and/or safetyproblems. A conventional silicone mold according to the prior artcomprises a flexible silicone bowl, and a peripheral rim defining anopening. Because of their unduly high flexibility at the level of therim of the opening, it is difficult to handle a mold and move it fromone location to another, especially when filled with liquid. Very highflexibility of the rim can also produce deterioration of the foodpreparation during mold release. This difficult handling is particularlydangerous when the mold contains hot products or liquids.

The solutions proposed by the prior art to solve this difficult and/ordangerous handling problem have a tendency to reinforce the rim of themold over the opening's entire periphery. This reinforcement isgenerally accomplished by adding to the rim a rigid ring over the entireperiphery of the opening. This ring can be made of different materialsand be of different shapes.

The solutions of the prior art, however, are not entirely satisfactory.Indeed, the mold loses its flexibility and is more difficult to cleanafter use. Its space requirements are always at least equal to the spacerequirements of the ring.

Moreover, the flatness, geometry and horizontal position of the rim aredifficult to evaluate by a user of the mold. Owing to the fact that thereinforcement ring has a straight circular cross section, the user hasno means to evaluate the flatness or horizontal position of the rim whenholding the mold with two hands. A liquid contained in the mold cantherefore be spilled during movement of the mold from one location toanother. A user can no longer change the geometry of the rim, forexample, for better mold release.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention proposes a remedy for the drawbacks anddisadvantages mentioned above.

One object of the invention is to provide a silicone mold that permitseasy release of its contents, but is both easy and safe to handle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mold, with a flatness,geometry and horizontal position of the opening that can easily beevaluated by the user, in order to avoid spilling of the contents, andto facilitate mold release.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flexible silicone moldthat can easily be cleaned after use.

In accordance with the present invention, and contrary to what isproposed in the prior art which reinforces the rim over the entireperiphery of the opening, substantially flat, opposite grasping zonesare provided on the rim of the mold. This permits a user to handle themold and move it from one location to another safely. The graspingzones, in particular, permit evaluation of the flatness of the rim, aswell as its horizontal position. The mold therefore retains itsflexibility at the level of the opening, and the user can control itsgeometry.

Further, and in accordance with the present invention, a flexiblesilicone mold is provided, comprised of a bowl and peripheral rimdefining the opening of the bowl, that includes at least two generallyflat, substantially opposite grasping zones on the rim, with the twozones having sufficient extent to permit a user to control the geometryof the rim, as well as the horizontal position and equal level of thetwo grasping zones.

As a feature of the invention, each grasping zone contains asubstantially flat reinforcement embedded in the silicone.

As a further feature, each reinforcement is divided into twosubstantially symmetrical parts relative to an axis passingsubstantially through the center of the grasping zones.

As another feature, each half of the reinforcement contains an extensionstrip in the rim, and each strip connects two reinforcements of the twodifferent grasping zones and thus covers substantially 180 degrees ofthe rim.

As yet a further feature, each reinforcement contains an extension stripin the rim extending on both sides of the reinforcement.

As yet another feature, the ends of the extension strips aresubstantially at the level of an axis perpendicular to an axis passingsubstantially through the center of the grasping zones, each strip thuscovering substantially 180 degrees.

As yet an additional feature, the extension strips, or halves of thereinforcements, are connected by means that form a hinge, and the rimcontains silicone material that is thicker than the walls of the bowl.

As still yet another feature, each extension strip is substantiallyflat.

As still yet a further feature, the mold contains a reinforcement at thelevel of the base of the bowl.

As a further feature, the reinforcement contains a ring on the peripheryof the base.

As an additional feature, the reinforcement contains a plate.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the present inventionwill become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, andthe novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description, given by way of example and notintended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best beappreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a prior art mold;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a mold according to a first embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a mold according to a second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a mold according to a third embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a radial view of the mold shown in FIG.4, when deformed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a mold according to a fourth embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a mold according to a fifth embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a radial view of the mold shown in FIG.7, when deformed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a prior art mold. As shown, typical prior art molds includea bowl 1 and a peripheral rim 2, which define an opening 3. The bowl 1includes a base portion 10.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a flexible silicone mold (or simply called “mold”herein) in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is shown.As shown in FIG. 2, the mold contains a flexible bowl 11 made ofsilicone or other appropriate deformable material suitable for use. Thebowl includes a peripheral rim 12, defining an opening 13 of bowl 11.

The bowl 11 is designed to receive liquids and/or food preparations tobe placed in an oven or freezer. It is recalled that the mold accordingto the invention can be used for cakes, pies, quiches, breads, etc. Themold according to the invention can also be used for ice creams andsherbets, for example. The mold is therefore made of food-gradesilicone, which can withstand high and low temperatures. In particular,it can be placed in a microwave oven. The bowl further may have multiplecavities so that it can be utilized to make multiple muffins, cubcakes,madeleines, tartlets, chocolate, candies, etc. Still further, multipleflavors of ice, sherbet and other items may be made within the same bowlhave multiple compartments for the different flavored items.

The bowl 11 is generally a cylinder of revolution. It preferably has ashape that flares from the base 20 to rim 12, so that mold release ofthe preparation is facilitated. The interior diameter of the bowl at thelevel of rim 12, for example, is about 260 mm, whereas the diameter ofbase 20 is about 225 mm.

The peripheral rim 12 extends substantially parallel to base 20. Theextent beyond the walls of the bowl, for example, is about 7 to 10 mm,or more. The rim 12 preferably has thicker silicone material than thewalls of bowl 11. For example, silicone at the level of the rim can beabout 7 mm thickness or more, whereas the walls of the bowl are about1.5 to 5 mm thick, for example. This excess thickness permits bettermold release of the preparation.

The rim can contain at the level of the rim a collar of material in onepiece with the walls of the bowl, further reinforcing this excessthickness.

Naturally, all the given numerical examples in the present descriptionare non-limiting and can change depending on the applicationrequirements of the mold.

The mold contains at least two generally flat, substantially oppositegrasping zones 14 (handles) on rim 12 at the level of rim 12. The twozones 14 have sufficient dimensions to permit a user to pick up and movethe mold. They allow the geometry of the rim 12 to be checked, as wellas the horizontal position or levels of the two grasping zones 14,despite the flexibility of the intermediate zone of rim 12.

For example, zones 14 can be substantially semicircular in shape. Eachsemicircle 14 extends on the rim over a distance covering about 150 mm,for example, and extends radially, over a distance of about 35 to 50 mmat most. The example of the shape of each grasping zone is non-limiting.Each zone 14 can have any shape, for example, square, rectangular,trapezoid, etc. Each grasping zone 14 can also be covered with patternsthat permit better grasping of zone 14 by the user, these patterns beingoptionally decorative as well. These patterns can be in the form of pinsor relief of any shape integral with the material in zone 14. Thesurface of each zone 14 can also be roughened to offer anti-slipproperties.

The fact that zones 14 are of sufficient extent permits a user to checkthe geometry of the intermediate zone of rim 12 and thus facilitatesmold release and permits folding of the mold after its use. The zones 14are flat, which offers the user references concerning the levels of thezones 14 relative to each other, as well as a reference concerning thehorizontal position of the flexible rim 12. Handling the mold is thusfacilitated and the safety increased.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a second embodiment of the mold accordingto the present invention. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is similar tothe first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and discussed above. In particular,the mold shown in FIG. 3 includes a bowl 21, a rim 22, which defines anopening 23, and zones 24. Each zone 24 contains a substantially flatreinforcement 25 embedded in the silicone. Reinforcement 25 avoidsdeformation of the grasping zone 24, owing to the extent and flexibilityof each zone 24.

Each reinforcement 25 also increases the control properties of thegeometry and levels of each zone 24 by reinforcing possible grasp by theuser without acting on the flexibility of rim 22. Each reinforcement 25can be made of metal, plastic, fiber glass, or, preferably, nylon.Reinforcement 25 can also be made of polyamide, high temperature nylon(such as Zytel) or liquid crystal polymer resins (such as Zenite).

Each reinforcement 25 generally has the shape of each zone 24, so as tonot affect the flexibility of flexible rim 2. For example, it is in theform of a semicircle or a rectangle.

As mentioned above, each reinforcement 25 is embedded within the handles25. However, the reinforcements may be coupled to the silicone invarious other manners. In particular, each reinforcement 25 may becoupled to the top or, alternatively, the bottom surface of each handle24. Coupling of each reinforcement 25 to a respective handle can be doneby use of a suitable strong adhesive or by any other known, suitablecoupling technique. In yet another variation, the reinforcements may beinserted or disposed around the side exterior of the handles.

FIG. 4 schematically depicts a third embodiment of a mold according tothe present invention. Like the previous embodiments, the mold shown inFIG. 4 includes a bowl 31, a rim 32, defining an opening 33, and zones34.

According to the third embodiment, each zone includes two reinforcementparts 37 and 38 that are symmetrical relative to an axis 36 that passesthrough the center of each grasping zone 34. A gap 39 is disposedbetween each pair of reinforcement parts 37 and 38 principally to permitfolding of the mold, as shown in FIG. 5. Folding along axis 36 permitsbetter mold release of the preparation, as well as easier cleaning ofthe mold after use.

The sides of the halves of each reinforcement 37 and 38 situated nearaxis 36 are rounded and non-sharp. This avoids deterioration and cuttingof the silicone during bending according to FIG. 5.

As a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the two reinforcementhalves 37 and 38 of each side of the mold are connected by a hinge orother appropriate connection means that is capable of allowing thebending of the mold as shown in FIG. 5.

As another variation, each reinforcement half 37 and 38 contains anextension strip that extends into rim 32. It is possible for one of thetwo reinforcement halves to contain such an extension strip. Theextension strips preferably are flat. However, it can have any straightcross section, for example circular or square. Further, each extensionstrip can be made of metal, plastic, fiberglass, a composite material,ceramic or, preferably, reinforced nylon. Each strip may extend over anydistance in rim 32. It can cover about 60 degrees on the rim, forexample.

FIG. 6 depicts a mold in accordance with a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention. The mold of FIG. 6 includes a bowl 41, a rim 42,defining an opening 43, and grasping zones 44. Each zone 44 includesreinforcement parts 45 and 46 (similar to parts 37 and 38 in theembodiment of FIG. 4). In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the tworeinforcement parts 45 are attached via an extension strip 48, and thetwo reinforcement parts 46 are attached via an extension strip 49. Thus,reinforcement part 48 traverses nearly 180 degrees (i.e., half) of thecircular path of rim 42, and reinforcement part 49 traverses the other180 degrees of rim 42. In other words, strip 48 connects the two halves45 of the two opposite zones 44 and strip 49 connects the two halves 46of the two opposite zones 44.

Given strips 48 and 49 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the bowl iscapable of bending in a manner similar to the embodiment shown in FIG.4, thus being able to bend like that shown in FIG. 5.

In one variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, each pair of halves45 and 46 are connected by a hinge or other appropriate device.

FIG. 7 schematically depicts a fifth embodiment of a mold according tothe present invention. The mold shown in FIG. 7 includes a bowl 51, arim 52, defining an opening 53, and two grasping zones 54. Each graspingzone 54 includes a respective reinforcement part 55. However, anddifferent from the third and fourth embodiments discussed above, thefifth embodiment shown in FIG. 7 includes reinforcement parts 55 thatare not divided into multiple halves (or parts). Rather, eachreinforcement part 55 includes two sets of extension strips 59, asshown. But unlike embodiment 4 shown in FIG. 6, each extension strip 59extends only 90 degrees along rim 52. Preferably, each reinforcementpart 55 with their extensions 59 are made of a single piece of supportmaterial.

As mentioned with regard to the above embodiments, each extension strip59 preferably is flat. However, they can have any cross section, forexample, circular or square. Each strip 59 can be made of metal,plastic, fiberglass, composite, ceramic, or, preferably, reinforcednylon.

The ends of the extension strips 59 are rounded and non-sharp. Thisavoids deterioration and cutting of the silicone during bending of themold, as shown in FIG. 8.

Each strip 59 extends over any distance in rim 52. The strips 59 canvary in length extending along rim 52. For example, each strip 59 canextend from zone 54 different from that shown in FIG. 7. For example,each strip can extend, for example, 30, 60 or substantially 90 degrees(if two strips 59 extending from the same reinforcement part 55 isperceived to represent a single strip, then a strip can extend up tosubstantially 180 degrees, as shown in FIG. 7, but may extend, forexample, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, etc.).

FIG. 7 shows the preferred version, where a first end 60 and a secondend 61 of the extensions, as shown, are immediately adjacent to an axis58 that is perpendicular to an axis 56 that passes through the center ofthe grasping zones 54. Each connected strip 59 thus covers substantially180 degrees. It is apparent that this strip permits easier folding, asshown in FIG. 8, because of its extension in rim 52. It is noted thatthis folding is perpendicular to the folding shown in FIG. 5.

In a variation of this embodiment, each pair of ends 60 and 61 of theextension strips are connected by a hinge or other suitable foldabledevice.

For each of the embodiments discussed above, the versions containingextension strips generally have the same properties as the molds withoutthe strip, in particular, control of the geometry of the opening (13,23, 33, 43, 53) and control of the levels and horizontal position of thegrasping zones, especially because the strips do not cover the entirerim, which permits bending of the rim. Furthermore, in the variousembodiments and variations discussed above, the reinforcements and, ifapplicable, the extension strips may be coupled to the silicone invarious manners in addition to embedding the reinforcements within thesilicone. In particular, the reinforcements (and extensions, if any) maybe, coupled to the top or, alternatively, the bottom surfaces of thesilicone (e.g., of the handle and/or rim). Coupling can be done by useof a suitable strong adhesive or by any other known, suitable couplingtechnique. In addition, the reinforcements (and extensions, if any) maybe inserted or disposed around the side exterior of the handle/rim.

The preceding discussion is applied to an opening that is generallycircular or elliptical in shape and a bowl with a generally circular orelliptical cross section. However, the opening and the shape of the bowlcan be different and be, for example, rectangular, square, triangular,star-shaped, heart-shaped, puzzle piece shaped, etc. With eachvariation, the bowl may include multiple cavities or compartments, aspreviously mentioned. In such case, a single bowl can make multiplemuffins, cubcakes, madeleines, tartlets, chocolate, candies, etc.

It is further contemplated to provide grasping zones (handles) and/orextension strips along the peripheral of the base of the bowl in thevarious embodiments discussed above. Such reinforcement at the base ofthe bowl, and thus at the bottom of the mold, also permits easierhandling and mold release. Reinforcement at the base of the mold caninclude a ring arranged around the periphery of the base. The ring ispreferably flat. However, it can have any cross section, for example,circular or square.

As another variation, the reinforcement can also be a punched or anunpunched plate, embedded in the base material.

The reinforcement can be made of metal, plastic, fiberglass, composite,ceramic, reinforced nylon, polyamide, high temperature nylon (such asZytel) or liquid crystal polymer resins (such as Zenite), or otherappropriate material. Also, such reinforcement at the base can beapplied to a mold not containing grasping zones or reinforcement alongthe mold's rim. Such reinforcement may be moveable on the base of themold.

Having described multiple embodiments of the present invention, andmultiple variations for each of these embodiments, it is intended thatthe appended claims be interpreted as including the embodimentsdescribed herein, the alternatives mentioned above, and all equivalentsthereto.

1. A flexible, silicone mold, comprising: a bowl having a peripheral rimdefining an opening of the bowl, the bowl and rim being made ofsilicone; and two substantially flat grasping zones disposed alongsubstantially opposite ends of the rim, the two grasping zones havingsufficient dimensions and containing sections of reinforcement, andadapted to permit control of a geometry of the rim and to permit controlof horizontal positions of the two grasping zones, the reinforcementsections being bordered about their periphery by portions of thegrasping zones which are free of reinforcement.
 2. The mold according toclaim 1, further comprising a first substantially flat reinforcementcomponent embedded within one of the two grasping zones, and a secondsubstantially flat reinforcement component embedded within the other ofthe two grasping zones.
 3. The mold according to claim 1, furthercomprising two substantially flat reinforcement components embeddedwithin one of the two grasping zones, and two substantially flatreinforcement components embedded within the other of the two graspingzones, the two embedded components for each of the grasping zones beingsymmetrically positioned relative to an axis passing substantiallythrough a center of each of the grasping zones.
 4. The mold according toclaim 3, wherein the mold is adapted to be at least partially foldablealong the axis passing substantially through the center of each of thegrasping zones.
 5. The mold according to claim 2, wherein each of thereinforcement components contains an extension strip extending along arespective portion of the rim.
 6. The mold according to claim 3, furthercomprising a first extension strip extending from one of thereinforcement components of one of the grasping zones to one of thereinforcement components of the other grasping zone; and a secondextension strip extending from the other reinforcement component of saidone of the grasping zones to the other reinforcement component of saidother grasping zone.
 7. The mold according to claim 6, wherein the tworeinforcement components embedded within said one of the two graspingzones are connected by a first foldable hinge connection, and the tworeinforcement components embedded within said other of the two graspingzones are connected by a second foldable hinge connection.
 8. The moldaccording to claim 1, further comprising a first substantially flatreinforcement component embedded within one of the two grasping zones,the first reinforcement component containing an extension strip thatextends outward along the rim; the mold further comprising a secondsubstantially flat reinforcement component embedded within the other ofthe two grasping zones, the second reinforcement component containing arespective extension strip that extends outward along the rim.
 9. Themold according to claim 8, wherein each of the extension strips extendsoutward from both sides of the respective reinforcement component. 10.The mold according to claim 9, wherein each of the extension stripsextends along the rim to a position immediately adjacent to an axisperpendicular to an axis passing substantially through a center of eachof the grasping zones.
 11. The mold according to claim 10, whereincorresponding ends of extension strips disposed immediately adjacent tothe axis are connected by foldable hinge connections.
 12. The moldaccording to claim 8, wherein each of the extension strips issubstantially flat.
 13. The mold according to claim 1, wherein said rimhas a thickness greater than a thickness of the bowl.
 14. The moldaccording to claim 1, wherein the bowl includes a base portion and themold further comprises a reinforcement at the base.
 15. The moldaccording to claim 14, wherein said reinforcement at the base includes aring on the periphery of the base.
 16. The mold according to claim 14,wherein said reinforcement at the base includes a plate.
 17. The moldaccording to claim 1, further comprising reinforcement componentscoupled to top surfaces of the two grasping zones.
 18. The moldaccording to claim 1, further comprising reinforcement componentscoupled to lower surfaces of the two grasping zones.
 19. The moldaccording to claim 1, further comprising reinforcement componentscoupled to and around side surfaces of the two grasping zones.
 20. Aflexible, silicone mold, comprising: a bowl having a peripheral rimdefining an opening of the bowl, the bowl and rim being made ofsilicone, the rim comprising two substantially flat grasping zones; andreinforcement confined within each of the two substantially flatgrasping zones, and divided into sections by a gap, each of the graspingzones being foldable along an axis passing through the gap.
 21. The moldaccording to claim 20, wherein each of the two substantially flatgrasping zones contains at least two sections of reinforcement whichdefine the gap.
 22. A flexible, silicone mold, comprising: a bowl havinga peripheral rim defining an opening of the bowl, the bowl and rim beingmade of silicone, the rim comprising two substantially flat graspingzones; and reinforcement disposed along the rim and which extends intoeach of the two substantially flat grasping zones, the reinforcementbeing divided into sections by a gap and the mold being foldable alongan axis passing through the gap.
 23. The mold according to claim 22,wherein: each of the grasping zones comprises the gap.
 24. The moldaccording to claim 22, wherein: an axis passing through each of thegrasping handles divides the rim into two substantially semicircularportions.
 25. The mold according to claim 24, wherein: the gap isdisposed at substantially the midpoint of each of the two semicircularportions.